A former bus depot is set to be transformed into one of the largest film studios outside London.

Ambitious plans have been announced by Cleveland College of Art and Design to make Hartlepool a renowned centre for national and international film production.

The college, which has strong links with the film and TV industry and illustrious alumni including Hollywood director Sir Ridley Scott, has teamed up with Hartlepool Council to promote creative industries.

And if the plans are passed they would develop the old depot on Lynn Street into a studio, including two sound stages of around 20m by 50m plus workshop space of a similar size.

Pat Chapman, head of employability and external relations at the college, said: “In order to develop the proposal, we have not just conducted our own research, we have looked at the sector and liaised closely with industry organisations such as Northern Film and Media.

Patrick Chapman, head of employability and external relations at the Cleveland College of Art and Design (Image: Handout)

“We have also had a number of site visits with art directors, production managers and producers to ask them what they want from a sound stage.

“We are keen to further develop our support for the industry in terms of backstage crew so this project is the college directly responding to industry demands.

“There is currently no similar dedicated facility north of the M62 corridor in the same scale and very little outside of the south of England, that is on a comparable scale.”

The development could also bring welcome job opportunities to Teesside.

“There is a real need to provide a supply of skilled and trained crew and encourage them to stay in the region, so our role is providing the skilled people,” he said.

“This we feel will help anchor productions within the North-east region and would bring direct economic benefits to the town.”